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#92519 - 03/15/08 04:44 PM ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: WyoBob]
Wolfeye Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 413
Loc: Seattle, WA
How do you guys carry your SP101's? I too have one in .357, and opted for a pocket holster. I've carried it (with a permit) that way, but it's only comfortable to do so for one day before my leg gets sore from its weight bumping my thigh with every step. Any other concealed method of carry seems to get in the way of my backpack straps.

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#92520 - 03/15/08 07:38 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Salish]
ShadowAngel Offline
newbie

Registered: 02/11/08
Posts: 14
Quote:

I really like Glocks for what they are - an incredibly durable and function free semi-auto, but I've never cared for their larger, wider squared-off slide. I think they are safer than the 1911 design, though. If I carry my 1911 (which is rare these days) I always carry it unchambered. It doesn't make for a fast shot, but it takes less than two seconds to rack the slide and chamber a round.


The 1911's design is extremely safe. Even cocked and locked, you've still got both the manual safety and the grip safety. Glocks don't even have that, just a safety that's integrated into the trigger, where your finger shouldn't be if you're not shooting something anyway. The 1911 was designed to be carried by cavalry soldiers, so the design is about as safe as you can get.

Quote:
Hmmm. I thought they only came in 2 1/4" and 3" barrel?


You're right sorry. I typoed and hit 3 instead of 4.

Quote:
How do you guys carry your SP101's? I too have one in .357, and opted for a pocket holster. I've carried it (with a permit) that way, but it's only comfortable to do so for one day before my leg gets sore from its weight bumping my thigh with every step. Any other concealed method of carry seems to get in the way of my backpack straps.


Yeah, I had a problem with finding a spot, too. I usually carry it in the chest pocket of my jacket, or in a shoulder holster.

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#92521 - 03/15/08 08:16 PM Re: ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: Wolfeye]
WyoBob Offline
member

Registered: 05/04/04
Posts: 204
Loc: Buffalo, WY
Quote:
How do you guys carry your SP101's? I too have one in .357, and opted for a pocket holster. I've carried it (with a permit) that way, but it's only comfortable to do so for one day before my leg gets sore from its weight bumping my thigh with every step. Any other concealed method of carry seems to get in the way of my backpack straps.


I carry my SP daily using a "Clip Draw" but this wouldn't work with a hip belt on the pack.

I have yet to come up with a solution for carry with a pack. I would prefer to have the weapon remain concealed so as to not upset people we might meet on the trail. Still, the handgun should be readily accessable in case you meet some of the "wrong" people on the trail.

WyoBob

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#92522 - 03/15/08 09:35 PM Re: ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: WyoBob]
apestate Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/15/08
Posts: 5
well, there needs to be a pack on your chest too, I think. this both helps balance your gravity and provides you easy access to handy items like a pistol, map, stuff to clean your sunglasses with, binoculars.... gorp....

get a bag with a chest section and put a holster in it.

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#92523 - 03/15/08 09:42 PM Re: packable rifle, sidearm [Re: Wolfeye]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
Packable rifles are fun. My dad recently bought a Marlin 70PSS, though he almost bought the Henry AR-7 instead. The idea behind both guns is that they can be taken apart of easy packing and can be used for hunting small game. They're only .22 long rifle, so they're not big enough for protection but are still a fun way to hunt. For bear protection I've had my eyes on a Marlin 1894SS, which takes .44 magnum to a whole new level of power over revolvers. It's only good out to 100-150 yards or so due to the relatively low bullet velocity, but sounds like it would make a good gun for the brush.


If I want to pack a .22 rifle I have one of the "original" takedowns - A Winchester 62.
although a browning and the cooey single shot rank right up there with small and light.

Still when I backpack with a rifle, it's usually hunting season, which means if I'm really backpacking and not working on day trips out of a spike camp, I'm partial to the lightened .308 - because I handload. So while I can carry nice 165 gr noslers for elk and moose, I also typically take a half dozen or a dozen very light loads - 22 long rifle style. I have hard cast .311 diameter round balls that seat into the case neck, and cover with lee alox bullet lube. I push em behind a powder puff of 4 grains of 700x and a large pistol primer in the case. they'll still cloverleaf off the bench at 20M - which is good enough for shooting grouse and rabbits.
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Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
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#92524 - 03/15/08 09:53 PM Re: packable rifle, sidearm [Re: phat]
apestate Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/15/08
Posts: 5
hey are you talking about light loads for shooting small game in a high power rifle?

I'm not real clear on gunsmithing but that has been a favorite idea of mine for a while. Look. I don't know if this is going off the deep end or not, but let's say you wanted to carry a rifle capable of dropping a deer or dissuading a bear, but yet able to harvest squirrels and turkeys and junk (in case you are a survivalist or something.)

Could you load accurate 5.56 rounds in an AR that would fire at ~1000 fps speeds and high power loads in the same rifle through hand-loading alone?

You'd have to cycle the action yourself, right?

Would it be somehow better to carry both the AR and a .22 LR conversion kit?

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#92525 - 03/15/08 10:18 PM Re: packable rifle, sidearm [Re: apestate]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
hey are you talking about light loads for shooting small game in a high power rifle?


Yep. I do it all the time. Lighter than carrying two guns, and shoots more accurately than
nasty .22 conversion goo or a handgun.

Quote:

I'm not real clear on gunsmithing but that has been a favorite idea of mine for a while. Look. I don't know if this is going off the deep end or not, but let's say you wanted to carry a rifle capable of dropping a deer or dissuading a bear, but yet able to harvest squirrels and turkeys and junk (in case you are a survivalist or something.)

Could you load accurate 5.56 rounds in an AR that would fire at ~1000 fps speeds and high power loads in the same rifle through hand-loading alone?

You'd have to cycle the action yourself, right?

Would it be somehow better to carry both the AR and a .22 LR conversion kit?


In an AR yeah, but I've never tried it with 5.56. It's easier to do with 30 cal rounds in the manner I've mentioned. With that little hardcast lead roundball I can body shoot grouse and not mess them up. There are lots of other good loads with a bit more zip, but still usable for small game that you can use regular bullets instead of the round ball - 30/30 bullets work great, up to about .30/30 velocities - you just can't go as slow and light as with the cast round ball for fear of sticking them in the gun.

but for varied loads like that, I prefer a bolt gun. I wouldn't try to feed an AR reduced loads, they're finickey enough about powder residue and crap in them, not to mention the fact that, heck, it's 5.56 - it's just a glorified .22 already - you don't need to load it down, just shoot 55 grain fmj - rabbits aren't thick enough for the round to fragment.
_________________________
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My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#92526 - 03/15/08 10:54 PM Re: packable rifle, sidearm [Re: Wolfeye]
Narf Offline
member

Registered: 12/25/06
Posts: 76
Loc: Missouri
I believe he'll be much better off with the Marlin than the Henry AR-7. I did a little research here and there on takedown .22's a few nights ago. From what I gathered from owners and reviews is that the AR-7 is almost a novelty firearm. Yea it's neat and gadgety that it can all break down and ift in its own stock, however I read that its fairly awkward to shoot and the quality (as well as the accuracy) is not there.

I was also looking at the Springfield M6 . It really caught my eye due to its unusual(yet somehow intriguing to me) look and that its an over-under in various configurations .22hornet, magnum or LR and also .410 shotgun. Single shots in each so not the best for defense but looks to be a nice small game gun. It hinges a full 180 at the reciever for loading and transport, can also be dismantled into 2 halves. Stock has a built in rack for additional ammo underneath the cheekplate. How the guy has the paracord wrap on his config is pretty cool. Just not sure where you would find one of these "pilot survival" guns at, nor price.

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#92527 - 03/16/08 05:27 AM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Dryer]
12Step Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/08
Posts: 89
Loc: Southwest Ohio
Be very careful with small semi-auto pistols. .380's are known for jamming and most of the .380, 25's small compact semi-auto's don't have the best safety's. If you are interested in carrying a small caliber semi-auto, make sure you look for quality dependability, and SAFETY. I've seen what happens when a cheap semi-auto "goes off" when it wasn't supposed to.

A unholstered gun is a unsafe gun, so if your going to carry while backpacking, make sure you have it holstered.

That mini Glock I carry, I always have it in a holster. It has about a 6 pound trigger pull, and as many of you know it doesent really have a safety, (unless you count that little piece on the trigger itself a safety.)

A lightweight revolver usually has a 8 pound trigger pull or more. My father owns one of those Titanium .357 snub revolvers "Chiefs special". One of these days I may convince him to sell it to me. A good heavy trigger pull helps to prevent accidental discharges. (But then again so does practice, education, and responsibility.)


Sorry I don't mean to sound like a public service message. With firearms, you get what you pay for. Cheap guns are unsafe guns. Most of the guns I have pulled off of suspects, were crap and dangerous. There's a lot of cheap gun manufactures out there that made pistols that have no business being sold to the public.


Tom
_________________________
"Let's not miss the beauty of the forest by the ugliness of some of its trees." Bill W.

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#92528 - 03/16/08 07:42 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Dryer]
WyoBob Offline
member

Registered: 05/04/04
Posts: 204
Loc: Buffalo, WY
Is anyone else getting a pop up window with: "enter user name and passord for "Section Name" at http://www.cranesable.org" over and over again when looking at this thread?

WyoBob

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#92529 - 03/16/08 08:03 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: WyoBob]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
yeah, it's something to do with that NNA 22. mag graphic a few posts back.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#92530 - 03/16/08 08:30 PM Re: ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: apestate]
Wolfeye Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 413
Loc: Seattle, WA
The chest pack idea does sound interesting... belt pouch holsters for concealed carry often have a velcro opening tab for quick access to the holster. With a little work with a sewing machine and a cheap nylon holster, I could see making it work for a chest pouch.

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#92531 - 03/16/08 08:53 PM Re: packable rifle, sidearm [Re: apestate]
Wolfeye Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 413
Loc: Seattle, WA
I think one alternative to loading down high-powered rounds is to choose a gun that can easily be converted. I have a friend who has his eye on the Thompson Contender, which he claims can easily change calibers just by switching the barrel. I don't know if this is true or if it even requires a gunsmith. He wants to buy one with both .44 mag & .22 lr barrels.

Another way is to pick a gun that can fire multiple calibers. It may not as drastic as going from bear protection to squirrel hunting, but a lever-action chambered in .357 magnum would be pretty diverse: you could load it up with high velocity magnums for deer, then load it down with powderpuff .38 spl for smaller stuff.

Whatever the way of going about it, I agree with Phat that an automatic like an AR would be too finicky with widely varied rounds. Something bolt-action or single shot would probably work best.

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#92532 - 03/16/08 09:00 PM Re: ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: Wolfeye]
Salish Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 129
Loc: Seattle, Washington
[quote]The chest pack idea does sound interesting...

When I take my little S&W snubby I use a Dana Design Wet Rib. The chest pack works very well for small frame handguns, and it's generally pretty handy to have for map, compass, and other items. I drink from a Platypus so I use the water bottle holder of the chest pack for other gear.


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#92533 - 03/17/08 06:29 AM Re: ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: Salish]
Paddy_Crow Offline
member

Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 2285
Loc: Michigan
Quote:
I think one alternative to loading down high-powered rounds is to choose a gun that can easily be converted. I have a friend who has his eye on the Thompson Contender, which he claims can easily change calibers just by switching the barrel. I don't know if this is true or if it even requires a gunsmith. He wants to buy one with both .44 mag & .22 lr barrels.


Thompson has been making guns with interchangeable barrels for a long time (I can remember first seeing them in the 1970's). The down side is that they tend to be single shot target guns.

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#92534 - 03/17/08 06:56 AM Re: packable rifle, sidearm [Re: Wolfeye]
Hector Offline
member

Registered: 12/20/04
Posts: 325
Loc: LA/ARK/TX corner
> Thompson Contender, which he claims can easily change calibers just by
> switching the barrel. I don't know if this is true

Definitely true; I have one myself. Not a self-defense gun, though, despite what you might see in some John Woo movie, as it's a single-shot. Good for target shooting and hunting (in appropriate calibers). Great fun. You can set it up as a nice light rifle or big pistol. For larger calibers they have a Thompson Encore now, I believe.

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#92535 - 03/17/08 09:45 AM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Dryer]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Sorry, I guess that is my fault. I deleted my picture that (i didn't realize) required a password. It should pop anything up anymore. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

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#92536 - 03/17/08 09:58 AM Re: ruger sp101... carry style? [Re: Paddy_Crow]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
I shoot NRA silhouette and Thompson's are common big pistols there. Very heavy, single shot, lots of options, mods, etc., but not something I'd want to haul in the boonies. Might as well bring a S&W 500. What you are hunting and how far you are going dictates what you haul. I can't see backpacking far for elk unless you have a plan for "what if you shoot one". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Most small game can be taken with a .22 and a pistol would be fine. Heck, I've seen folks blowgun fish before! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#92537 - 03/17/08 02:18 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Dryer]
hootyhoo Offline
member

Registered: 12/14/06
Posts: 686
Loc: Cyberspace
Not sure about those guns, but I dod support guns in the bc.
For some reason I thought we had a constitutional right to keep and bear arms - not sure where I got that, but I must be wrong.

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#92538 - 03/17/08 03:13 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: hootyhoo]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Quote:
For some reason I thought we had a constitutional right to keep and bear arms - not sure where I got that, but I must be wrong.




You have it backwards. "The rights of the citizen to keep and arm bears shall not be infringed". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#92539 - 03/17/08 06:31 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Dryer]
Eltex Offline
newbie

Registered: 10/21/07
Posts: 4
Loc: near Austin Texas
Paul,

I don't have any experience with those you listed, but do have a few thoughts.
Depending on how you plan to carry, the thickness and shape may be more of an issue than a few ounces.

I put in 14 miles yesterday with an old Kimber Stainless Covert, with a Milt Sparks IWB holster. For any 1911 fans out there, it's a commander length slide on an officer's frame.
Some thin grips also help. I've heard that the "super-shorty" 45s are pickier about ammo.


You could probably get a similar but lighter package with the old Kimber Compact aluminum. I only say "old" because I hate those Series 2s that screwed up Browning's wonderful trigger...

Doug

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#92540 - 03/18/08 09:00 AM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Eltex]
wld_rthr_b_ridng Offline
member

Registered: 01/09/08
Posts: 18
Loc: WV
My husband carries the Kimber Ultracarry II .45; so far so good, I haven't heard any complaints. Its very compact but weighs 1.8lbs. His biggest obstacle is figuring out the most comfortable and practical way to carry it while we're backpacking. He has the fanny pack but didn't really like it. I think he's considering a thigh holster and just carrying unconcealed but we'll need to think about that more first.

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#92541 - 03/18/08 09:14 AM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: wld_rthr_b_ridng]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Quote:
His biggest obstacle is figuring out the most comfortable and practical way to carry it while we're backpacking.


That's always the problem...after a while, the thing might as well be a brick. That's what was attractive about the arms I referenced at the beginning of the post. They weigh half as much as anything I currently own, like caliber, and change the entire "should I bother carrying" dynamic.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#92542 - 03/18/08 12:03 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: Dryer]
CCH Offline
member

Registered: 01/27/04
Posts: 124
Loc: Colorado
I've found the Wilderness Safepacker to be an excellent, discrete way of carrying a handgun while backpacking. It doesn't allow a superfast draw but isn't as bad as you might think by looking at it. Your gun is also protected and it makes even a fairly heavy gun comfortable. Mine straps over my pack belt easily and quickly although that could vary with your pack. I packed a G29 for some time in it with great satisfaction.

Out in the woods is one place where I believe you might run into a need for a self-defense handgun that can handle longer distances than the theoretical "combat range" at which pocket guns are adequate. I would really not want to depend on a pocket .380 if I needed to shoot at 25 yards or so for whatever reason. I also like the ability to take small game in season or desperation but that is a separate requirement and discussion.

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#92543 - 03/18/08 07:17 PM Re: Lightweight sidearms....interesting choices. [Re: wld_rthr_b_ridng]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
I generally carry my little 5 shot revolver in an Uncle Mikes belt clip holster. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />My large frame .44 I carry in a shoulder holster rig <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />over my coat so its legal, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> but its the only way to carry a big iron <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> unless you wear a western setup. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> My western gunbelt sits kinda low and straps to my leg <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />- its a gunslinger holster <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />- a quick draw model with room for 50 bullets around the back... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> no I do not wear it backpacking. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />But the .44 in the dirty harry rig sure excites some people. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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